My guinea pig is sneezing and acting strange after bath. Is it sick?

Thanks for reaching out about Gizmo. Sneezing can be due to infections, inflammation, dental disease, nasal foreign bodies and more. iI no discharge, try changing the substrate, especially if wood shavings or other dusty material. If discharge from the nostrils, a veterinary visit is recommended to assess and provide a diagnostic/treatment plan. Good luck.

The sneezing may be due to an infection (bacterial or fungal) or possibly dusty bedding. Since Wilber is "new" to you, an exam with your veterinarian would be recommended to confirm good health or to diagnose and treat any pre-existing conditions. Use aspen sgavings or a recycled paper bedding product. Do not use cedar or pine shavings as they can be irritating to Wilber's sensitive nose.

Change out the bedding to see if that decreases the sneezing. Avoid using cologne, perfume or scented soaps or lotions before handling. Monitor for discharge, difficulty breathing, rasping or cracking sounds while breathing, lethargy or a decrease in appetite. See your veterinarian if the sneezing worsens or if Duke develops any of the above symptoms.

Your guinea pig should not sneeze at all.Sneezing is a sign that there is something in the upper respiratory system that does not belong there. This could be dust, a foreign body or excess mucus or pus. This could mean a broken through abscess or an upper respiratory infection. Make sure her bedding is dust free and observe her for a day or two after changing to dust free bedding and dust free hay (you can wash the hay and feed a small portion at a time....remove what is not eaten after a few hours). If she still keeps sneezing she will need to be seen by a veterinarian.

If the crust has any yellowish or green color to it then I would definitely recommend that she see a veterinarian. If it is only clear I would be less concerned. Keeping a very clean cage is important as the ammonia in the urine can be very irritating to the nasal and respiratory tract. Best of luck and thank you for using Pet Coach.

If your guinea pig is sneezing it could be an indication of an upper respiratory tract infection. These can lead to pneumonia fairly quickly which can be life threatening in guinea pigs. If she is sneezing consistently I would recommend taking her in to see the vet so she can be started on some antibiotics. If the sneezing is just occasional then keep an eye on her to make sure it does not get worse. As far as the smell, all you can do is keep the cage in a well ventilated area, change the bedding frequently like you are doing and bathe your guinea pigs if they start to become smelly. I hope this helps. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

Thanks for reaching out about Oreo and including a photo. It is more likely he has an upper respiratory infection and needs antibiotics. Seek an appointment with an exotic companion mammal veterinarian with knowledge of guinea pigs, as some antibiotics can be deleterious to guinea pigs. Good luck.